It was love at first sight between me and the cover of the German edition. The original cover, to be honest, is not really my taste. But it is the story between the two book cover that matters, right? And that is one, you don´t want to miss. Not when you are a true Cat & Bones fan. This story is brilliant as a single novel and set, if you like, after the fourth volume of the Night Huntress series. I read them in order, which kind of rounds up the entire experience. But you can also read it as a standalone novel. Which is clearly NOT what I recommend.
First Drop Of Crimson
by Jeaniene FrostNight Huntress World #1
Publisher Avon Books on February 9, 2010
Genre Vampire
Pages 371
Format Paperback
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The night is not safe for mortals. Denise MacGregor knows all too well what lurks in the shadows – her best friend is half-vampire Cat Crawfield – and she has already lost more than the average human could bear. But her family´s dark past is wrapped in secrets and shrouded in darkness – and a demon shapeshifter has marked Denise as prey. Now her survival depends on an immortal who craves a taste of her. He is Spade, a powerful, mysterious vampire who has walked the earth for centuries and is now duty-bound to protect this endangered, alluring human – even if it means destroying his own kind. Denise may arouse his deepest hungers, but Spade knows he must fight his urge to have her as they face the demon nightmare together …
Story
Denise, Cat´s best friend, is in a bind. A demon kills her family and she can only save her if she gives the demon what he wants: the traitor who broke the pact. In desperation, she turns to the vampire Spade – and rips up old wounds. The world of the dark creatures has its own laws and rules. Mercilessly barbaric. Together with Spade and his people she succeeds in tackling the threat, even if she must pay a high price for it.
Style
The sex scenes are even more compelling and hotter than in the volumes of the Night Huntress series itself. And the storyline of Denis and Spade is peppered with groovy dialogues and a fast-paced and absolutely awesome story. The author skillfully plays with the most diverse fears and strengths of her individual characters. Sometimes Jeaniene Frost scatters a pinch of sarcasm here and there and then charm again. And then flows the pure hatred and gigantic vindictiveness from the sentences and the action. Simply brilliant. Feelings such as jealousy, desire, hatred, and the will to survive are clearly linked with destructiveness and the various weaknesses of humanity and are reflected in the world of vampires.
Characters
Although this is a pure fantasy novel, the characters are completely convincing, three-dimensional, and incredibly realistic. Strong characters and characteristics meet, which creates a fascinating tension and incredible action.
Denise undergoes a change, that is both, internally and externally, very gripping and at the same time upsetting. Spades changes are not without and give this novel in connection with Denise a sparkling, not to say inflammatory effect. But to be honest, I liked the cat best. This is a very special cat. Even with this very short appearance.
Conclusion
Full of excitement, passion, eroticism, and a magnificent plot, this book guarantees the reader absolute reading pleasure. Highly recommended to all fans of the Cat & Bones series or those who want to become one.
Happy reading
*I read the German edition published by Penhaligon September 2010
Jeaniene Frost
Jeaniene Frost is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author whose works include the Night Huntress series, the Night Prince series, and the Broken Destiny series. To date, foreign rights for her novels have sold to twenty different countries. Jeaniene lives in North Carolina with her husband Matthew, who long ago accepted that she rarely cooks and always sleeps in on the weekends. Aside from writing, Jeaniene enjoys reading, poetry, watching movies, exploring old cemeteries, spelunking, and traveling – by car. Airplanes, children, and cookbooks frighten her.